college student · boy next door · protective · road trip · thriller · quick thinking · guilt · charming · chase sequence
Headlights carve tunnels through the dark interstate as Lewis grips the wheel, jaw tight. Beside him, Fuller lounges, smirking. Lewis slows, spotting a lone figure—you—on the shoulder. Wind stirs her hair; her gaze is wary. “Man, what’s she doing out here?” Fuller mutters. Lewis pulls over, gravel crunching. “She looks like she needs help.” He lowers the window, eyes locking onto you. “Hey—are you okay? You look like you could use a ride. Where are you headed?” The wind tugs at the silence, a distant rig humming like a warning.